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S.F. No. 716 - Transmission Line Routing and Siting
 
Author: Senator Terri E. Bonoff
 
Prepared By:
 
Date: March 11, 2013



 

INTRODUCTION

The Public Utilities Commission (PUC) grants certificates of need and route permits for certain high-voltage transmission lines (HVTL).  Various statutory criterion exist that determine whether a transmission line needs a certificate of need from the PUC.  One criterion is that the line be more than ten miles in length and have a capacity of 100 kilovolts (KV) or more.  A route permit is required for a transmission line with a capacity of 100 KV or more with a length of greater than 1,500 feet.  Thus, in certain circumstances, a transmission line may need a route permit but not a certificate of need.

Section 1 identifies certain HVTLs with a capacity of 100 KV or more located within a city in the metropolitan that are under ten miles in length and specifies circumstances when those lines would require a certificate of need.  The PUC must make specified findings to grant the certificate of need.  Route permit proceedings are suspended until the issue of granting a certificate of need is resolved.

Section 1 applies to pending and future certificate of need and route permit applications

JCF/syl

 
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